In a surprising decision that has sparked public debate, Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged a convicted drug offender, Isoken Arigbe, on health grounds after she pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
The case, filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), accused Arigbe of possessing 66 grams of methamphetamine, a banned narcotic substance similar in effect to cocaine and heroin. She was arrested on May 23, 2025, at the Lekki Gardens Phase 2 junction in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.
According to the prosecutor, Mr. A.G. Yuanyuam, the offence violated Section 19 of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Arigbe promptly pleaded guilty when arraigned, prompting the court to convict her based on the evidence tendered by the prosecution. These included documents and exhibits detailing the circumstances of her arrest.
Following her conviction, the NDLEA applied for the forfeiture of N534,569.16 discovered in her bank account, allegedly proceeds from the drug-related crime. The judge approved the forfeiture, ordering the sum to be remitted to the Federal Government.
However, in a plea for leniency, Arigbe’s lawyer, Mr. C.J. Robert from the chambers of Uche Okoronkwo, highlighted her deteriorating health condition. He presented medical reports from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), which cited an enlarged heart and serious abdominal complications.
Taking the health reports into consideration, Justice Osiagor exercised compassion and opted not to sentence Arigbe to jail. Instead, he issued a strong warning and discharged her, cautioning her against future involvement in drug-related offences.
“This is a wake-up call. You have escaped prison only because of your poor health. Use this opportunity to focus on your recovery and avoid any future misconduct,” Justice Osiagor said in court.
While some have praised the ruling as humane, others have raised concerns over the message it sends in the fight against narcotics and drug trafficking in Nigeria.
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